The Delaware economy has been on a gradual growth trajectory over the past five years.
According to researcher IbisWorld, the population has grown 1.3 percent leading up to 2025, reaching just under 1.06 million. Its gross state product reached $76.3 billion by the beginning of the year, reflecting 1.0 percent growth over five years, and Delaware businesses employed 565,876 people at the outset of ’25, a result of 2.4 percent growth since around 2020.
“Delaware’s employment landscape is experiencing modest growth. The state has seen a steady increase in job opportunities, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education and professional services,” said Julie Miro Wenger, executive director of the Delaware Food Industry Council.
“However, there are challenges such as a tight labor market and the need for skilled workers in certain industries. The unemployment rate remains relatively low, and efforts are ongoing to improve workforce development and training programs to match the evolving economic demands.”
Despite these challenges, the industry is showing resilience.
“The overall health of the grocery industry remains stable,” Wenger said. “Independent grocers are striving to maintain their competitiveness by focusing on community engagement and personalized services that distinguish them from larger retail chains.
Retail crime continues to plague DFIC members, but help may be on the way.
“We see trends that are alarming, and we are working cooperatively with law enforcement, the courts and the Department of Justice,” she said, adding that the state recently created a Retail Theft Taskforce that will be convening in March.
“Hopefully, that will draw the attention needed to fully fund retail theft units across the state,” Wenger said.
She said the association also is concerned about ingredient or product bans that may come about with a new administration.
“Delaware does not manufacture much, and bans are getting a lot of attention. Environmental stewardship continues to be an area we spend our focus on,” she said.
Wenger went on to note there has been a “modest” level of store growth over the past year.
In December, Sprouts Farmers Market opened its second location in the state. The new store in Middletown joined one in Wilmington that debuted in March 2020. The Middletown store opened Dec. 6 at 431 Middletown Warwick Road.
“This new addition to our community not only provides access to fresh, healthy food options but also creates job opportunities for our residents,” said Middletown Mayor Kenneth L. Branner Jr.
Sprouts is working with local Delaware farmers such as Fifer Orchards and Jim Rash Watermelons to source local produce, and through Sprouts’ Food Rescue program the store will donate groceries that are no longer fit for sale but still good to Food Bank of Delaware.
Also in Middletown, located in the northern half of the state, ground was broken in February on a new Weis Markets location.
The 64,000-square-foot grocery store is the anchor retailer for 280,000-square-foot Bayberry Town Center, which is within The Village of Bayberry.
There are three other Weis Markets in Delaware – in Lewes, Millsboro and Millville; this is the company’s first ground-up location in the state. Projected opening for the store and its Gas N’ Go fuel center is the fourth quarter of this year.
There is one Grocery Outlet in Rehoboth Beach. It opened on April 4, 2024, in a former Peebles department store at 18910 Rehoboth Mall Blvd.
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